Method, system and apparatus for providing a mediated sensory experience to users positioned in a shared location

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method, a system, and an apparatus are presented for mediating ambiance outputs among a plurality of users collocated within the same area. In some implementations, said ambiance outputs can be adaptive or interactive shared digital works. In other implementations, said ambiance outputs can be shared mediated augmented reality.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit ofco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/941,541, filed Jul. 15,2013 titled “Method and Apparatus for Mediating Among a Plurality ofProfiles Associated with Users Positioned in a Shared Location” which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/941,541 is a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/572,617, filed Aug. 11, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,489,119, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a method, a system, and anapparatus to mediate 1) between a plurality of user datagrams containingdata profiles, settings and preferences associated with different userswho are positioned within a shared location area or 2) between directinputs, preferences, or priorities among said users who are positionedwithin a shared location area.

BACKGROUND

As an example of how public places managed shared entertainment,jukeboxes came into use in the United States around 1940. These machineswere installed in taverns. For a fee, patrons could pick their favoritesongs from a limited selection of songs available. Song popularitycounters told the owner of the machine the number of times each recordwas played, with the result that popular records remained, whilelesser-played songs could be replaced. Nowadays jukeboxes have almostdisappeared in the wake of digital technology and miniaturization.

There are many scenarios in which a plurality of people congregate andmay spend some time together; sometimes the settings are public placeslike a restaurant, a movie theater or a bar. Some other times thesettings are more private: a private house, a conference, a classroom ora party. Usually, in all of these scenarios customers, guests andpassersby collectively enjoy (, or alternatively put up with,) thedigital content or settings that are provided by the owner, the operatorof the premises or choices and preferences that are set in stone eitherby the artist or, e.g., a movie editor.

For example, in a bar the operator selects the music, the TV channels,the temperature, the ambiance and other settings. Those choices andpreferences set the tone of the public place by attracting certain kindof customers while deterring others. This is also true in privatehouses. For example, one of the members of a family at home interactswith a thermostat and sets the temperature on behalf of everybody.

The progress in miniaturization of electronics, improved batteries andcomputing capability has made it possible the creation of portabledevices that have the capability of delivering different kinds ofdigital media content to users. Usually these portable devices interfacewith a software program that resides on computers; this software iscapable of managing the digital content and the preferences that aparticular user may have. For example, iTunes is a digital contentmanager application that allows a user to buy and manage audio and videoon a personal computer. Many alternatives to iTunes do exist formanaging digital content. Users can organize their music into playlistswithin one or more libraries, edit file information, record CompactDiscs, copy files to a digital audio player, purchase music and videosthrough a built-in music store, download free podcasts, back up songs,run a visualizer to display graphical effects synchronized with themusic, and encode music into a number of different audio formats.

Libraries are databases of digital media that organize media content.Users can create and maintain them on the memory of a computer or aportable device for different purposes such as to make the digitalcontent and playlists available to other applications stored on thecomputer or generally a device. Portable user devices are often used toplay digital content for the fruition of a single user who is carryingsaid multimedia device with him and is usually wearing, earphones,headphones, earpieces or other similar accessories.

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing and storage capacity as aservice to a community of end-recipients. The name comes from the use ofa cloud-shaped symbol as a generalization for the complex infrastructureit contains in system diagrams. Cloud computing entrusts services with auser's data, software and computation over a network. Cloud computinghas made possible the real time retrieval of data and content. Forexample, if a user is at a party he can share a song by retrieving itfrom his or her library in the cloud. When a song is shared, the digitalcontent manager software can stream the song and conventionally it willnot save it on the local hard drive in order to prevent unauthorizedcopying. Recently Google put on the market a device called Nexus Q that,when in guest mode, allows guests at a party via an Android portabledevice to retrieve songs from their private libraries on Google's cloudand manually queue them into a playlist. These songs are then playedlocally at the users' location.

Digital technology has also made it possible for digital media works todeviate from an official copy. For example, moviemakers often filmalternate endings. These endings are often excluded from the officialtheatrical version and can subsequently be included as a special featurein the film's DVD release. These alternate endings are a special type ofdeleted scene. In a public performance of the official copy, thepublisher or the movie director usually decides which one of thealternate scenes are included and which one are skipped.

Currently, movie theaters continuously show a movie that repeats itselfto different crowds over different intervals. Movies do not adapt todifferent crowds, recurring viewers, or premium viewers. Moreover,audiences do not have control over the content because such content isshared with other viewers. A movie intended for a public or shared viewhas an official version that is distributed in certain territories orfor different purposes, e.g., its enjoyment on an airplane.

An interactive movie, also known in the past as Movie Game or VCR Gameis a video game that features highly cinematic presentation and heavyuse of scripting, often using full-motion video of either animated orlive-action footage.

This genre came about with the invention of laserdiscs and laserdiscplayers, the first nonlinear or random access video play devices. Thefact that a laserdisc player could jump to and play any chapterinstantaneously, rather than proceed in a linear path from start tofinish like videotape, meant that games with branching plotlines couldbe constructed from out-of-order video chapters in much the same way asold Choose Your Own Adventure books could be constructed fromout-of-order pages.

Current wireless technologies, such, as for example, cellular 3G, 4G,WIMAX and non-cellular WLAN, Bluetooth and its iBeacon implementation,ZigBee and RF-ID, with their improved speed of data, efficiency andrange, provide opportunities for growth, customer satisfaction andefficiency. General positioning technologies have also evolved. Some ofthese technologies are more suitable for outdoor positioning. Theseinclude GPS (Global Positioning Technology), databases mapping locationsof base stations/access points, multilateration and cell IDs strengthmeasurement.

Other technologies are more suitable for indoor locationing. Examplesare choke points concepts, grid point concepts, long-range sensorsconcepts, angle of arrival, time of arrival, received strengthindication and inertial measurements, RF-ID cell, UWB, Infrared, VisibleLight Communication and Positioning techniques, and ultrasound. Theseshort and long-range communication technologies, together with indoorand outdoor positioning technologies provide an opportunity to buildbackend software, applications and devices that can exploit theknowledge a user's or a user's apparatus location by the system.

A geo-fence is a virtual perimeter for a real world geographic area. Ageofence can be dynamically generated as in a radius around a pointlocation that could be stationary or mobile. A geofence can be apredefined set of boundaries connecting points expressed by latitude andlongitude, like neighborhood boundaries. Geofencing has been madepossible by the introduction of sufficiently precise locationingtechniques like, for example, the GPS technology or the multilaterationtechnology and by the miniaturization of electronic components that havemade the GPS a standard feature in mobile phones and portableelectronics in general.

Many other forms of alternative positioning techniques are underdevelopment.

For example, Apple introduced iBeacon to iOS, which is based onBluetooth low energy (BLE) and is available on Android devices.Conceptually, iBeacons substitute GPS satellites whose position isknown, at a micro-location or indoor scale. Several iBeacons could belocated in different areas in a building.

IBM Presence Zones is a technology that lets businesses carry out webtype analytics for physical venues. It lets them know who is in theirphysical location, how much time they spend in different areas, theroutes they take, how often they visit, and more.

Google's “Nearby” feature for Android will apparently be similar toApple's iBeacon technology to deliver notifications and triggerfeatures.

Philips has developed a technology based on LED lighting that cancommunicate with a mobile application and can guide users around. DubbedIntelligent Lighting, the connected retail lighting system not onlyilluminates but also acts as a positioning grid.

Other companies are building in-store retail analytics products based onWi-Fi, cameras on the device or external, audio and magnetic fields.Based on sensing light, BLE signals, Wi-Fi signals, sound or magneticfields, these technologies show the trend in mobile devices of addingmore and more sensors to gain a better understanding of users' contextand surroundings. This trend is not limited to mobile phones but itextends to the emerging wearable category of devices as well.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a method comprises:receiving a first ID (1) associated with a location area and linkingsaid ID (1) with a data structure coupled with said ID (1); receiving asecond ID (2) associated with the same said location area and linkingsaid ID (2) with another data structure coupled with said ID (2);determining an ambience settings data output for said location areausing said data structures according to a predefined set of parameters;and generating a digital signal for communicating at least part of saidambience settings data output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatuscomprises: at least one processor; and at least one computer-readablemedium including computer program code. The at least onecomputer-readable medium and the computer program code are configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform atleast the following: receiving a first ID (1) associated with a locationarea and linking said ID (1) with a data structure coupled with said ID(1); receiving a second ID (2) associated with the same said locationarea and linking said ID (2) with another data structure coupled withsaid ID (2); determining an ambience settings data output for saidlocation area using said data structures according to a predefined setof parameters; and generating a digital signal for communicating atleast part of said ambience settings data output.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computersoftware system has a set of instructions stored in a computer-readablemedium for controlling at least one general-purpose digital computer inperforming desired functions comprising a set of instructions formedinto each of a plurality of modules, wherein each modules comprises: aprocess for receiving a first ID (1) associated with a location area; aprocess for linking said ID (1) with a data structure coupled with saidID (1); a process for receiving a second ID (2) associated with the samesaid location area; a process for linking said ID (2) with another DataStructure coupled with said ID (2); a process for determining anambience settings data output for said location area using said datastructures according to a predefined set of parameters; and a processfor generating a digital signal for communicating at least part of saidambience settings data output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the presentinvention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 provides a schematic illustration of various example embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a process fordetermining ambiance settings when at least two IDs associated with twousers have checked in;

FIG. 3 provides an example of a data structure representing a User Setof Parameters illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a process for causingambiance settings related to an area to at least partially adapt to thedata and preferences contained in a data structure associated with auser ID;

FIG. 5 is a schematic example of a user equipment (UE) illustratingvarious modules that can be used to implement various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 provides an example of a data structure representing an OperatorSet of Parameters illustrating various embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 provides an exemplary user interface in a UE adapted to enableuser feedback and/or input to an interactive shared digital work. Saiduser interface can be activated via a mobile application installed onsaid UE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of the present invention and its potentialadvantages are understood by referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 of thedrawings.

FIG. 1 describes a possible embodiment of the invention. User Equipment161 (UE) can be located within an Area 190, which may represent the areawhere a Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120 (SAA) delivers digital outputcontrolling “ambiance setting” affecting users located in with Area 190.These settings may include a multitude of possibilities. For example,users located in a common location may all listen to the same music,share the same temperature, ceiling fans and lights settings, and sharethe vision of the same TV channels, a movie or generally digitalcontent. For example, “ambience settings” may comprise augmented realitydigital content that is shared among users in a location as will beexplained with reference to FIG. 3. Ambience and ambiance shall have thesame meaning.

Digital content can be organized according to various classes. Forexample, associations like the Classification and Rating Administration(“CARA”) issues ratings for motion pictures exhibited and distributedcommercially to the public in the United States, with the intent toprovide parents information concerning the content of those motionpictures and to aid them in determining the suitability of individualmotion pictures for viewing by their children. The viewers of a movie ora TV program or digital content in general are sharing a common CARArating. Ratings and other classes of digital media are part of what arebroadly defined as ambiance settings. Ambiance settings in general aresettings that may affect at least one of the traditionally recognizedmethods of perception of one or more users collocated within a commonarea. However, in some implementations, users may not all be equallyaffected within the same area by common ambience settings.

Digital technology is expanding the range of possible shared content.For example, augmented reality (AR) is an area of technology in greatexpansion. Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of aphysical environment whose elements are amplified by computer-generatedsensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It isconnected to a more inclusive concept called mediated reality, in whicha view of reality is adapted (sometimes diminished rather thanaugmented), by a computer. Augmentation is conventionally real-time andin semantic context with environmental elements. AR technology, whenintegrated with computer vision and object recognition, makes theinformation about the nearby real world that a user experiencesinteractive and modifiable. Users in a common location may share ARsensory perceptions and these AR sensory perceptions are included in thedefinition of ambiance settings.

With reference to FIG. 1, in one possible implementation, UE 161 may bedelivering via a Wireless Link 141 a user ID (1) to Antenna 126. Theabbreviation ID (1) shall refer to a first user's ID since Antenna 126can receive more than one ID. Said transfer of ID may occur via amultitude of wireless methods including but not limited to generalpresent cellular and non-cellular wireless technologies such as 3G and4G or WLAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee or RF-ID. As described above, Area 190represents the area served by a Shared Ambience Apparatus (SAA) 120.This means that all the users within the Area 190 may be affected byambience settings provided by said Shared Ambience Apparatus 120. Area190 may or may not coincide with the area in which user equipment iscapable of exchanging data with Antenna 126 (radio horizon area or moregenerally “check-in area”). A check-in area can be the area in whichsaid UE 161 is accounted for as present in the area. SAA 120 may modifyits output (as instructed by Service Server 100) to account for saidpresence. To simplify FIG. 1, Area 190 has been depicted as being both,the check-in area and the area where users, who are collocated withinsaid area, can experience common or synchronized ambience settings. Theperson skilled in the art will recognize that this is just asimplification and certain implementations may differ.

For the purpose of the present invention, the checking in into alocation can occur automatically or by means of user's input (manualcheck-in). For example, UE 161 can automatically transmit ID (1) usingan automated Bluetooth connection. For example, a Bluetooth module in UE161 could transmit ID (1) to Antenna 126 at set intervals. The Bluetoothconnection may use OBEX (abbreviation of OBject EXchange, also termedIrOBEX) or any other protocol to exchange binary objects and IDs betweenUE 161 and SAA 120.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that many differenttechniques can be used to account for (or establish) the presence of auser within a check-in area. For example, UE 161 itself can establishthe presence by using a GPS module or any other locationing techniques.An application running on UE 161 and stored on Memory 532 may requestthe position data from a GPS module and compare it with the boundariesof a predefined Geofence. In another implementation, UE 161 may send itsposition via Network Connection 145 to Service Server 100. An algorithmstored on Memory 102 may compare said position within certain predefinedgeofence boundaries defining Area 190. If the position is within theboundaries the system may consider UE 161 as checked in. In anotherimplementation the checking in may occur by means of a manual selectionof the user. For example, a user of UE 161 may be given a list of nearbyplaces that are equipped with a Shared Ambience Apparatus 120 (SAA) (viaNetwork Connection 145) and he may be prompted to check-into one ofthese places. In other settings, the receiving of a WLAN SSID by UE 161may trigger an application running on Memory 532 of the device to send amessage via Network Connection 145 and Core Network/Internet 130 toService Server 100 and cause the check-in into Area 190. The SSIDdifferentiates one WLAN from another, so all access points and alldevices attempting to connect to a specific WLAN must use the same SSID.Usually a public place or private household do have a unique SSID.

In case of iBeacon technology, UE 161 may be receiving an iBeacon ID byan iBeacon emitter placed within Area 190. Said ID that is received byUE 161 may be sent to Service Server 100 and can be compared with adatabase of iBeacon IDs stored on Memory 102 of said Service Server 100.The positive identification of said iBeacon ID may link said UE 161 withArea 190 or, e.g., with shared digital media that is streamed to thatlocation. Said location could be, for example, a theater room, within abuilding where multiple theater rooms exist.

In some implementations, said iBeacon ID can be associated with aninteractive shared digital work that is played in said theater room.iBeacon IDs can be associated either to a location or to an interactiveshared digital work that is streamed to or played in said location. Theperson skilled in the art will understand that iBeacon is just oneexample of many technologies available where the reception of an ID by auser equipment may trigger contextual functions.

Network Connections 142, 143, 144, 145 and Core Network/Internet 130 dorepresent means capable of collecting and transporting digitalinformation from and to Service Server 100, SAA 120, UE 160 and UE 161and Workstation 150 including but not limited to wireless, cable, basestations, core network or other equipment. For the sake of clarity, thedetailed description of this equipment has been omitted but the personskilled in the art will be able to retrieve detailed and enablingdescriptions of the related telecommunication technologies by using, forexample, one of the many telecommunications standards specificationsavailable from standardization bodies like TIA, ETSI or IEEE.

In one implementation involving dedicated equipment, two differentmodules may compose said SAA 120. A First Module 122 could be equipmentdedicated at delivering ambiance settings. Music and traditional digitalcontent are just a subset of what this application names generally as“ambience settings”. For the sake of clarity and simplicity, the presentapplication will often refer to examples of digital content in thedomain of music. The person skilled in the art will understand that thisis only one of the possible examples. In addition, digital content isnot limited to discrete pieces, such as a traditional movie or a song,but it may include subparts of digital content that assembled togethermay form one of the many possible versions of a digital work. Saidversion may for example show certain scenes and skip others according tothe inputs received from Service Server 100.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that traditional digitalcontent (or more generally ambience settings) may acquire features thatare unique and tailored to the particular group of people who havechecked in (the audience) by means of an algorithm running on ServiceServer 100. Said algorithm may mediate among various users' profilescontaining data, inputs, and preferences stored in a datagram as the onedescribed in FIG. 3. The result, in one possible implementation, can bea weighted compromise between all the possible preferences that thevarious users can explicitly indicate, the data that at least one of thesystem's algorithms may infer and the constrains that an operator ofsaid SAA 120 may impose.

First Module 122 is dedicated to deliver ambience settings determined byService Server 100. It may take many different forms all of which willserve the common purpose of delivering ambience settings mediated amongusers who are recognized by the system to have checked into Area 190. Inone possible implementation, First Module 122 can be digitalentertainment equipment capable to adapt its output to the inputs ofSecond Module 121 (for example alternate endings or scenes or contentratings). In other implementations it can be a thermostat, music boxes,a traditional television adapted to receive digital channels, lightningequipment, ceiling fans or other.

Second Module 121 can be dedicated to the interface with the operatorand to the exchange of information with user equipment (such as UE 161and UE 160) and remote Service Server 100. Said Second Module 121 mayinclude a Controller 125 capable of interpreting the informationreceived from Service Server 100 via a Network Connection 143 and causeFirst Module 122 to deliver ambience settings in accordance withinstructions received from Service Server 100. Second Module 121 mayalso include an Input Output (I/O) module 124 and a Memory 123. In apossible implementation, Controller 101, contained in Service Server100, may determine the output of ambience settings to be delivered byFirst Module 122 by using a User Set of Parameters 300 and an OperatorSet of Parameters 600 in conjunction with at least one algorithm storedon Memory 102. Details and examples of said User Set of Parameters 300and said Operator Set of Parameters 600 will be provided whiledescribing FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. User Set of Parameters 300 will generallyrefer to preferences or data relative to a user associated with a userID; said preferences and data can be enclosed in datagrams as the onesdescribed in FIG. 3.

More than one ID can check-in into Area 190. In FIG. 1, user ID (1) canbe transmitted via a Wireless Link 141 from UE 161 and another ID (2)can be sent via Wireless Link 140 from UE 160 to Antenna 126. ID (1) andID (2) can be associated with two different user set of parametersrelated to two different users. Said user set of parameters can beenclosed in two different datagrams each one of them similar to the onedescribed in FIG. 3 and stored on Memory 102, Memory 123 or both, atleast temporarily.

An Operator Set of Parameters 600 will often refer to preferences anddata contained in a datagram relative to a person who is the operator ofsaid Shared Ambience Apparatus 120 (SAA). Said operator could forexample be the proprietor of a sports bar or the owner of a restaurantor the operator of a movie theater or the owner of a private household.Second Module 121 may also contain an Input/Output (I/O) Module 124 anda Memory 123. Said I/O Module 124 may serve the purpose of creating andmodifying said Operator Set of Parameters 600 to be stored in Memory 123or to be sent via Network Connection 143 and Core Network 130 to ServiceServer 100 and then stored in Memory 102. Service Server 100 maycomprise at least a Controller 101 and a Memory 102. Said Memory 102 mayhost computer code and at least an algorithm configured to determine thecommands that will produce the ambiance output to be delivered by saidFirst Module 122.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that the ambience settingsoutput can be the result of determinations made by one or morealgorithms. For example, if both User Sets of Parameters and theOperator Set of Parameters reside on Memory 102 a single algorithm, alsopossibly residing on Memory 102, can determine the ambiance settingoutput. Alternatively, the ambiance settings output can be calculated byusing more than one algorithm in parallel or in sequence. For example,one algorithm on Memory 102 could be in charge of weighting all the UserSets of Parameters and another algorithm on Memory 123 could be incharge of factoring in the Operator Set of Parameters.

In one explanatory example when only UE 161 sends ID (1) via WirelessLink 141 said ID (1) could be sent over to Service Server 100 viaNetwork Link 143. An algorithm residing on memory 102 may determine theoutput of digital content by using a User Set of Parameters 300associated with said I.D (1). In another example, if also an OperatorSet of Parameters 600 is active and is stored on Memory 102 thealgorithm may use both said Operator Set of Parameters 600 and said UserSet of Parameters 300 to determine the digital command that will producethe ambiance output to be delivered by said First Module 122.

In another explanatory example, not only UE 161 sends ID (1) viaWireless Link 141 but also UE 160 sends ID (2) via Wireless Link 140.Said ID (1) and ID (2) may then be sent from Second Module 121 toService Server 100 via Network Connection 143. The algorithm residing onMemory 102 may now determine the output of ambience settings by using aUser Set of Parameters 300 associated with said ID (1) together withanother different User Set of Parameters associated with said I.D (2)(also similar in structure to the one represented in FIG. 3) and anOperator Set of Parameters 600. The person skilled in the art willrecognize that in many settings the number of received IDs may be highespecially in crowded places. Every received ID can be associated with aspecific user set of parameters and the algorithm may mediate among allthe users' set of parameters using different weights and criteria.

In one implementation, the weight associated with a certain ID mayincrease with the increasing of the duration of the permanence of thatID in the checking in area. In addition, the algorithm may considercertain patterns and recurrences. For example, if certain IDs are arecurrent presence in the check-in area in certain days of the week ortime windows during the day, the algorithm may consider said recurrencesand proactively generate ambient settings commands that will account forsaid recurrences.

Recurrences can also be used with adaptive shared digital media. In oneimplementation, adaptive shared digital media is media that adapts toviewers. For example, if the system detects that some users have alreadyseen a first version of a digital work, said system may promote theshowing of a different, alternate, or premium version of the work tomaximize the enjoyment of those recurring users.

In another implementation, interactive shared digital media is mediathat can adjust in real time, or over time, to inputs of at least partof the audience who is enjoying said interactive shared digital mediaand is using means for providing said inputs.

In another implementation, in case of an adaptive shared digital media,certain users may have more weight than others do. For example, a userwho has already watched a first version of a shared digital work, e.g. amovie in a public theater equipped with a Shared Ambience Apparatus 120(SAA), may decide to watch the same movie multiple times. Said categoryof users may acquire a premium status and unlock premium features of theadaptive digital media. Those users may become the popular users thateverybody wants go to the movie theater with since they will be the oneswho may drive up the level of collective entertainment.

In another implementation, in case of an interactive shared digitalmedia, two or more users may be equipped with UE 161 and UE 160. Saiduser equipment may store in Memory 532 a software application that canby synchronized with the digital work being played and will allow inputfrom the audience. This will be explained in more detail with referenceto FIG. 7.

In one implementation, algorithms and computer code can be residing inMemory 102. In another implementation, said algorithms may determine theoutput of ambiance settings according to different weights for differentusers. For example, if ID (1) is associated with a paid premium servicethe datagram associated with ID (1) may carry a higher weight ascompared to the datagram associated with ID (2). As a furtherexplanatory example, certain users IDs may progressively acquire higherweights if the system perceives an increasing duration of theirpermanence within the check-in area.

In another implementation that will be explained in more detail withreference to FIG. 7, certain users may enjoy alternate, modified,extended or premium versions of the same digital media if those usershave a premium status or have enjoyed previous versions of the samedigital media. The usage of adaptive or interactive shared digital mediamay achieve a “gamification” effect resulting in more engagement by theaudience and repeated views of alternate or modified versions of thesame digital work.

The analytics of the duration data related to certain IDs in thecheck-in area may promote certain users as regulars of the businessestablishment that is equipped with said Shared Ambience Apparatus 120(SAA) and give them a higher and preferential status. As anotherexample, said operator of said Shared Ambience Apparatus 120, who in apossible implementation is also the business operator of the premises,may sponsor regular clients and manually confer them a higher status.Hierarchy among IDs can also be associated with the amount of moneyspent by a user associated with a particular ID so that premium clientscan enjoy ambience settings that are more customized to their taste orthat are likely to maximize their enjoyment.

In another possible implementation, a higher weight can be given to anID that receives positive feedback from other users. For example, userof UE 161 that is associated with ID (1), while listening in real timeto certain digital content being provided via First Module 122 withinArea 190, may give positive feedback by using an Input Output Module 531of UE 161. User of UE 161 may send over Network Connection 145 orWireless Link 141 a digital signal indicating his or her approval of thedigital content being played. As a consequence, ID (2), which isassociated with user of UE 160 and a datagram of parameters and dataresulting in the digital content that is being played (or more generallyambience settings), may gain more weight in upcoming selections ofdigital content and ambience settings in general.

In one implementation, Workstation 150 (accessible to user of UE 161since user of UE 161 can also at times be the user of Workstation 150)may contain digital content files, such as music, organized in librariesand contained in Memory 152, that can be downloaded by user of UE 161 onhis device. UE 161 may synchronize with Workstation 150 via NetworkConnection 144 said digital content. The same digital content can bepresent on both Memory 152 of Workstation 150 and Memory 532 of UE 161as it is the case in some current implementations. Said digital contentor the associated libraries can also be sent over to Service Server 100from Workstation 150 via Network Connection 142 or directly from UE 161via Network Connection 145.

In a possible implementation, only libraries and indexes are sent overto Service Server 100 while the digital content can be present onService Server 100 or can be retrieved by Service Server 100 and can beassociated with said libraries and indexes. This solution may becomemore and more popular in the future considering the fast pacedevelopment of cloud services. In another implementation, there is noneed for UE 161 or Workstation 150 to store digital content. All thedigital content can be stored on servers and delivered via streaming ondemand; for example, digital content can be streamed from Service Server100 directly to Shared Ambience Apparatus 120 (SAA) via NetworkConnection 143.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that many variations toFIG. 1 are possible. For example, user of UE 161 and Workstation 150 cansend or update his or her User Set of Parameters 300 via Input/OutputModule 151 or Input/output Module 531. Network Connections 142, 143, 144and 145 can generally be cables, wireless connections, or any othercommunication channel, as long as capable of convening digitalinformation. Finally, with the fast development of electronics and thegrowth of computing, network and memory capacity, Workstation 150 maybecome unnecessary and all the operations and selections can beperformed directly via UE 161 by communicating directly with ServiceServer 100 or Shared Ambience Apparatus 120 (SAA).

In one implementation First Module 122 can deliver not only digitalentertainment such as music (or ambience settings in general) but alsoan indication of the ID and the identity of the user whose preferencesand habits have caused the ambience settings output at a given instant.For example, the name or the picture of user of User Equipment 161 canbe shown on a screen in Area 190 as depicting the user who should becredited for the ambience settings output being delivered to userswithin Area 190 during a determined moment in time. Said indication ofthe ID and the identity of the user whose preferences, inputs, or habitshave caused the ambience settings output at a particular instant canalso be displayed by UE 161, UE 160 or any other user equipment withinArea 190.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that what is named a SharedAmbience Apparatus 120 (SAA) in one possible implementation can be anapparatus as simple as another general-purpose computer Workstation 150having or connected to music boxes, a video screen, or any otherapparatus capable of delivering sensory stimulations to end users. Inother settings, a Shared Ambience Apparatus 120 (SAA) is a dedicatedapparatus if the outputs are ambiance settings that require dedicatedequipment.

In addition, Shared Ambience Apparatus 120 (SAA) may or may not becomposed of two separate modules (First Module 122 and Second Module121). In fact, the functions performed by those two modules can becombined in to a single apparatus.

In another implementation that is going to be further explained withreference to FIG. 3, there is no need for said Shared Ambience Apparatus120 (SAA) to be located within Area 190. As discussed, for the sake ofconvenience and simplicity, Area 190 has been described both as: 1) thearea in which ambience settings affect users located within that area;and 2) as the area in which the system will account for the presence ofa user in generating the ambience settings (if his user equipmentreports itself as being within the check-in area). Those two areas canbe separate and distinct even though in some cases and implementationsthose areas may overlap. The person skilled in the art will understandthat this is a simplification.

In order to explain a case in which the presence of a Shared AmbienceApparatus 120 (SAA) is likely be located outside Area 190 we can referto augmented reality technology. Augmented reality can be “shared” or“personal”. In case of shared augmented reality, users collocated withinthe same area, will experience the same (or at least synchronized andinterdependent) ambience settings while using or wearing augmentedreality equipment. If augmented reality is “personal” then userscollocated within the same area or location may experience ambiencesettings that are independent and not synchronized.

A possible implementation of this concept can be an augmented realitytraffic light. As an example, if two or more cars (or their drivers),are equipped with augmented reality equipment and are about to approachan intersection from different directions they all may check-in into thesame check-in zone. In that situation, a shared (or synchronized)augmented reality digital content can be delivered to all of the cars(or drivers) so that the need for a physical traffic light apparatus maydisappear. The digital signal inducing the representation of a trafficlight via augmented reality equipment may come wirelessly from CoreNetwork/Internet 130 equipment positioned outside Area 190, perhaps abase station working accordingly to a 4G standard. In this case, what Inamed SAA 120 can be located outside Area 190 and the ambience settingsare augmented reality representations generated upon the reception ofwireless information for fruition within Area 190. Alternatively, FirstModule 122 of said SAA 120 could be considered the very same augmentedreality equipment that is personal or specific to each driver or car.

In another embodiment, a traffic light apparatus can be a physical objetand it may receive ambience settings from Service Server 100; in thiscase, the ambience settings can simply be the green, yellow and redtraffic indications. In this case, SAA 120 can be located within Area190 and can be a remotely operated traffic light that may consider realtime preferences, settings and situations as described above.

With reference to this scenario, the algorithm may use different kind ofparameters so that certain drivers may receive preferential treatmentaccording to various scenarios. As non-limiting examples: drivers canpay to receive a preferential tier; drivers may receive a preferentialtreatment if they check-in more frequently into the particular area;older drivers or any public service driver may also be preferred. Thepossible scenarios, possibilities and advantages are extremely numeroussince the person skilled in the art will understand that one aspect ofthe present invention may permit sizable savings by avoiding the actualconstruction of physical infrastructure that is currently necessary toregulate and make automotive traffic safe and efficient.

FIG. 2 represents a possible method embodiment of the present inventionthat can be implemented, for example, by means of a Service Server 100.Said method may comprise: receiving a first ID (1) (step 220);associating said ID (1) with a Data Structure linked with said ID (1)(step 230); receiving a second ID (2) (step 240); associating said ID(2) with another Data Structure linked with said ID (2) (step 250);using said data structures according to a predefined set of parametersand weights to determine an ambiance settings data output (step 260);and constructing a digital signal for communicating at least part ofsaid ambiance settings data output (step 270).

In one possible alternative implementation, that is different from theone described in FIG. 1 (where Service Server 100 is the apparatusconfigured to execute the method described in FIG. 2 above), SecondModule 121 may also execute the method described in FIG. 2. In thisimplementation, Memory 123 may have received and is storing the datastructures associated with the various IDs. It may also storeapplication software comprising the algorithm configured to determineambiance settings. In this possible implementation, said Shared AmbienceApparatus 120 (SAA) would be an autonomous unit capable of determiningambience settings and Service Server 100 would be not necessary.

FIG. 3 represents a possible User Set of Parameters 300. This datagramcontains information about user's preferences, settings and data. Column310 describes non-limiting examples of some Ambiance Classes. Forexample Music 311, Light Ambiance 312, Ceiling Fan 313, Temperature 319,TV Channels 314, Movies or Mixed Digital Content 315, Games 316,Augmented Reality 317 and in particular Shared Augmented Reality 318.Shared Augmented Reality 318 means that users collocated within the samearea will experience the same or synchronized ambience settings andsensory inputs via their augmented reality equipment. Synchronized meansthat the ambience settings for the users may not be the same but theywill be interdependent. For example, a user at a traffic light may see ared light while another may see a green light depending on theirposition and orientation.

Column 320 describes Class Preferences namely personal libraries ordetails of preferences for each Ambiance Class 310. These preferencesusually derive from explicit settings of the user. For example, withinMusic 311, a user can indicate his or her preferred genres, singers orsongs. User Libraries & Preferred Playlist 322 can also be retrieverfrom either Workstation 150 or UE 161 and can be stored in User Set ofParameters 300.

In one implementation, Discrete and Mixed Digital Content 315 is digitalcontent that, for example, can be retrieved from the cloud and that canbe streamed to users within Area 190, in the same way as Music 311. Thisclass comprises both discrete (a traditional movie for example) andaudiovisual digital content that may morph and vary (mixed digitalcontent) according to the audience's preference. Interactive andadaptive shared digital works are included in this category.

Adaptive digital works may adapt without the need of user intervention.For example, a user who is recognized by the system to have experienceda previous version of the digital work may experience a differentversion without the need of any input. Field Recurrence 319 may storeindications of previous visions of the same family of digital content toprovide alternate or premium versions to users with the highest numberof visions of the same family of digital works or a premium status.

Interactive digital works may compound all the explicit choices of theaudience that is providing feedback and morph according to a weightedalgorithm of all those choices in real time.

Field 343 may list various preferences for genres. Preferences can beexpressed by a numerical value. In one implementation, an algorithm thatmay be running on Service Server 100 will consider said preferences andmay adapt the digital content to said preferences. For example, anadaptive shared digital work such as a movie can be a weighted result ofthe preferences of those users who have checked into Area 190. SecondModule 122 may accordingly show certain scenes while skipping otherscenes and in so doing build a digital content work that is unique tothe audience.

Column General User Data 330 represents an example of data that can bestored in a datagram and that can be used by a software algorithm(stored in Memory 102 or on Memory 123) to create ambience settingsoutput. These fields generally store user's data that may not always bethe direct result of user's choices but are data that may be inferred bythe system by analyzing analytics pertaining to the user or that arefactual data like a gender or a date of birth.

Certain IDs may enjoy a premium status or a higher User Tier 331. Apremium status may derive from being a regular in a certain public place(for example because of the duration of their permanence in Area 190) orfrom a manual entry by the operator of SAA 120 who wants to support asubset of his clients. Higher User Tier 331 means that the User Set ofParameters 300 associated with that particular ID may have a superiorweight when factored in by said software algorithm that is in charge ofdetermining the ambience settings output for Area 190. As discussed,User Tier 331 may also compound multiple visions of the same family ofdigital works in a movie theater.

Positive feedback to digital output being played (or ambience settingsin general) associated with a particular ID may also play a role. Forexample, user of UE 160 that is associated with ID (2) whileexperiencing in real time within Area 190 certain ambience settings thatare associated to ID (1) can give positive (or negative) feedback byusing an Input Output Module 530 of UE 160. This may affect the UserPopularity Index 332 field associated with ID (1).

A User Persistence 333 filed indicates how long an ID has been withinthe checking in area. The algorithm may put a higher weight on IDs thathave been in the area for a long time as compared to others that havejust checked in. This field may also capture patterns of regularclients, big spenders, and promote regulars to a higher User Tier 331.

A Paying User 334 field captures the information that certain users maybe willing to pay for a premium service so that their IDs can have ahigher User Tier 331 when computed in by an ambience settings algorithm.

An Analytics User's Profile 335 field captures inferences, patterns andrecurrences related to a user. For example, a user can be a regular oncertain days of the week or time windows of the day. The system maypredict his future presence and generate an ambiance output tailored tothat user in certain time windows.

The system may also correlate users who have similar preferences. Thesystem may infer and attribute preferences to users even if thosepreferences have not been explicitly expressed. This is captured in theInferred User Profile 336 field.

In some implementations, a user may decide to charge his credit card forthe option of directing said Shared Ambience Apparatus 120 (SAA) todeliver a determined ambiance settings output such as playing a selectedpiece of digital file, a song for example. This may overrule a User Tier331 field or other parameters. The data associated with a credit cardcan be pre-stored into a Credit Card Number 337 field. This may make SAA120 the equivalent of a modern jukebox. This example is not limited tomusic but it may generally be applied to any ambience settings.

A Date of Birth 338 field can be used to store data to be used for avariety of purposes. For example to derive CARA ratings that may beapplied as a minimum common denominator to the ambience settings output.For example, if there is an ID that is associated with a minor amongthose IDs that have checked in into Area 190 then the ambience settingsoutput may be tailored to a minor audience. In addition, places mayprivilege older or younger patrons: the algorithm may discriminate byusing Date of Birth 338 field.

The algorithm can also use a Gender 339 field to discriminate betweendifferent kinds of clientele. For example, if the operator of acommercial establishment thinks that attracting more women would benefithis business then he may task an algorithm with privileging IDsassociated with users who are females. SAA 120 may consequently deliverambience settings more attuned with a female taste.

Column General User Preferences 340 may list preferences that are morespecific and detailed as compared to those described in Column 320. Forexample, it may store exclusions for music genres, certain discretepieces of digital entertainment or TV channels as in Field 341 and Field342. Exclusions can also be more general ambience settings. Forinstance, a user can exclude room temperatures below 70 Fahrenheit (°F.). The algorithm may consider these exclusions while determining theambience settings output.

Field 343 can contain preferences for genres of digital entertainment.For example, a movie can rarely be categorized in absolute terms asbelonging to a particular genre but it is always a mix of genres andsituations. As a non-limiting example, if a user indicates hispreferences for movies, by distributing a fixed amount of units amongdifferent genres and features categories, then an algorithm compiling avariable digital data entertainment output, (a subclass of ambiancesettings), may tailor said output to the specific audience by includingor excluding scenes and features.

FIG. 4 represents a possible method embodiment of the present invention.The method described may comprise: sending at least one ID (1) (420) andcausing the association of said ID (1) with a Data Structure linked withsaid ID (1) (430); wherein said Data Structure linked with said ID (1)is used in association with at least another Data Structure linked withanother ID (2) according to a predefined set of parameters and weightsto determine an ambiance settings data output. As will be discussed withreference to FIG. 5 apparatuses such as an RFID tag can implement themethod described in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 represents one possible apparatus embodiment of User Equipment(UE) 161. The person skilled in the art will realize that the presentinvention can be implemented according to embodiments that do notnecessitate every module that is described in FIG. 5 that are common ofsmart phones or computer-like equipment. In addition, the using of alogin and a password associated with an ID to access an applicationrunning on mobile equipment can make UE 161 or UE 160 interchangeableamong users. IDs can be unique to certain users rather than to certainapparatuses.

User Equipment 161 is a general example of a terminal device that userscan operate. It can be a traditional smart phone, a personal digitalassistant, a laptop computer, an e-book reader, an entertainment consoleor controller, wearable hardware such as augmented reality headsets, atablet computer or any other portable device including a transpondersuch as an RFID tag as long as capable of communicating at least digitalinformation linked with a user ID. The association of a user ID with alocation area (such as Area 190) may derive from the relatively shortradio horizon of non-cellular wireless standards such as WLAN,Bluetooth, RFID and others. In some cases the check-in area is within(or of a size comparable to) the ambience settings area so the IDs thathave checked in can be automatically associated with a location area. Ifthe location information associated with an ID needs to be transmittedto a Service Server 100, Second Module 121 can do so. In anotherimplementation, UE 161 may directly communicate with Service Server 100and provide both ID (1) and the location data of UE 161. A location dataof UE 161 transmitting ID (1) can be associated with a location areasuch as Area 190 by Service Server 100 or by SAA 120.

With reference to RFID/NFC 540 module, apparatuses as simple as an RFIDtag embedded in a bracelet can be sufficient to embody the presentinvention. In this implementation, ambiance settings may simply adjustin Area 190 to account for all the IDs that are checking in and all theIDs that are checking out. An RFID reader, placed in Area 190, maybroadcast an encoded radio signal to interrogate the RFID tag. The tag'sinformation can be stored electronically in a non-volatile memory. TheRFID tag may include a small RF transmitter and/or a receiver. The tagcan receive the message and can reply with its identificationinformation. This can be a unique tag serial number. In the case of thepresent invention, it can be a code associated with users' unique IDs asID (1) and ID (2) described in FIG. 1. A database stored in Memory 123or Memory 102 can associate said individual serial numbers with users'IDs.

The person skilled in the art will realize that even if the inventioncan be implemented by using an apparatus as simple as an RFIDtransponder that is worn by a user and is associated to a profile storedon the cloud or a nearby Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120, certainfunctionalities previously described can be more easily implemented byusing apparatuses that are more complex. For example, an input/outputmodule, like I/O User Interface 531, can be used to provide feedback toService Server 100 or to activate other functionalities described in thepresent application. I/O User Interface 531 may allow inputtinginformation via a touch screen or a QWERTY keyboard. I/O User Interface531 may also include a vibrating notification module, a speaker or amonitor (or any combination thereof). Input/output modules can also be afixture of Area 190 so that different users can share said modules ifneeded.

RFID tags can be either passive, active or battery assisted passive. Anactive tag has a battery and can periodically transmit its ID signal.Periodicity can be used to establish a duration value of the permanenceof a particular ID in the check-in area. A battery assisted passive(BAP) has a small battery on board and can be activated when in thepresence of an RFID reader. A passive tag is usually smaller because ithas no battery. In this case, the duration of the permanence of IDswithin the check-in area can be established by using the periodicity ofthe interrogation by the RFID reader. A passive tag uses the radioenergy transmitted by the reader as its energy source. Tags haveindividual serial numbers and the RFID system design can discriminateseveral tags that might be within the range of the RFID reader and readthem simultaneously.

User Equipment 161 can also comprise an Antenna 570 and a Transceiver560 capable of transmitting at least an ID (1) to a Shared AmbienceApparatus 120 (SAA) or directly to Service Server 100 via NetworkConnection 145 and Core Network/Internet 130 when Processor/Controller520 directs Transmission Module GSM/UMTS/LTE/WiMAX 575 to do so.Transmission Module GSM/UMTS/LTE/WiMAX 575 represents a multimode modulecapable of connecting to a cellular network via at least one of thementioned cellular standards or any equivalent standard thatstandardization bodies may codify in the future.

Modern 3G and 4G cellular standards may produce a significant radiohorizon. If the sending of ID (1) occurs directly via Network Connection145 and Core Network/Internet 130, instead of Wireless Link 141 via anon cellular standard such as WLAN, then said ID (1) can be accompaniedby an indication of the whereabouts of said User equipment 161 (such asArea 190) so that Service Server 100 may send ambience settingsindications that are pertinent to the particular zone of presence ofuser of UE 161.

Antenna 570 may support beam forming and/or multiple input multipleoutput (MIMO) operations. As is known to those skilled in the art, MIMOoperations may provide spatial diversity, which is to overcome difficultchannel conditions and/or increase channel throughput. Antenna 570 mayinclude antenna tuning and/or impedance matching components, RF poweramplifiers, and/or low noise amplifiers. User Equipment 161 can beoptimized to support multiple transceivers using multiple wirelessstandards.

User Equipment 161 may also comprise a GPS/Location Module 510. SaidGPS/Location Module can be used for various functions, for example whenit recognizes that UE 161 is within Area 190 it can feed the informationto Processor/Controller 520 for triggering (manually or automatically)the transmission of ID (1). Alternatively, the transmission of ID (1)can be triggered (automatically or manually) by means of an RF-ID systemor other wireless modules like a Bluetooth/Zigbee 590 module or WLAN 595module. In one implementation, the sending of ID (1) can be triggeredvia a manual input of user via User Interface 531. For example, user canbe given a list of nearby places that are available for check-in.

The locationing component of the invention can be advantageouslyimplemented in many different ways. When in closed environments, such asa shopping mall, the location data can be provided via differenttechniques. For example, choke points or grids, namely location indexingand presence reporting for tagged objects, can be used to providelocation data when indoor. Other examples of techniques used to providelocation are angle of arrival, time of arrival, received signal strengthindication, inertial measurements and ID databases of WLAN accesspoints, iBeacon equipment or other techniques as described in thebackground section of this application.

Memory 532 may store ID (1) as well as other data such as user librariesof digital media or digital media files. Memory 532 may also storesoftware applications adapted to enable User Equipment 161 to provide touser the possibility, via User Interface 531, to cause User Equipment161 to send a coincident digital signal indicating his appreciation (ordislike) ambience settings that are concurrently delivered within Area190 by Module 122.

Equipment 161 can include at least one Processor/Controller 520 and atleast a Memory 532 including computer program instructions. The at leastone Processor/Controller 520 can be embodied by any computational ordata processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU) orapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The at least oneProcessor/Controller 520 can be implemented as one or a plurality ofcontrollers. Memory 532 may contain application software running on UserEquipment 161. The at least one Memory 532 can be any suitable storagedevice, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. For example,a hard disk drive (HDD) or random access memory (RAM) can be used in theat least one Memory 532. The at least one Memory 532 can be on the samechip as the at least one Processor/Controller 520, or may be separatefrom the at least one Processor/Controller 520. The computer programinstructions may be any suitable form of computer program code. Forexample, the computer program instructions may be a compiled orinterpreted computer program. The at least one Memory 532 and computerprogram instructions can be configured to, with the at least oneProcessor/Controller 520 to cause a hardware apparatus (for example,User Equipment 161) to perform any process described herein.

FIG. 6 represents a possible embodiment of an Operator Set of Parameters600. This datagram contains data and preferences related to a person whomay have authority over the operation of said Shared Ambience Apparatus120 (SAA). This person can be the manager of a business enterprise incharge of delivering ambience settings to patrons within Area 190. Inanother implementation, it can be a homeowner or any other entity withthe authority to constrain the output of ambience settings within Area190, for example a traffic authority agency as explained in a previousexample related to augmented reality. Operator Set of Parameters 600 isnot an essential element for the invention to work. It is nevertheless auseful instrument if it is desirable to set boundaries to the degree towhich users making their presence known within Area 190 can influence analgorithm in charge of weighting and mediating among various User Setsof Parameters 300 and determine common ambience settings.

In one implementation, in case of adaptive or interactive shared digitalmedia, Operator Set of Parameters 600 can include under Operator Data630, settings so that said adaptive or interactive digital media may beconstrained within the guidelines of the Content Ratings Association andbe suitable to different audiences at different times.

Operator Set of Parameters 600 can be a datagram that largely mirrorsUser Set of Parameters 300. Column 610 describes non-limiting examplesof some possible Ambiance Classes. Column 620 describes ClassPreferences namely libraries or details of preferences for each AmbianceClass 610. These preferences may derive from explicit settings of theOperator. For example, in the case of Field 641, a traffic authority mayprioritize IDs belonging to public service workers to improve publicservice efficiency. Operator Set of Parameters 600, under certainconditions, can override preferences related to IDs checking into area190. Alternatively, Operator Set of Parameters 600 can be used asdefault settings in absences of IDs that have checked in Area 190.

Column 630 describes General Operator Settings. For example operator maywant to privilege certain customers by listing their IDs in thePreferred User 631 field so that those users may influence the ambiencesettings more than others. Operator may also want to privilege a certainclientele that is older or younger than a certain age according to acertain target clientele. He can do that by using a Date of Birth 632field and by setting his preferences. Operator can also set a preferredrange of ages such as patrons who are between 45 and 55 years of age if,for example, this is the most lucrative class of patrons. In someimplementations, on the day of a user's birthday said user may acquire apreferential status.

Gender 633 field is another example of possible hierarchy among classesof IDs. A clientele of females can be preferred over males, for example.Timers 621 field can indicate that the operator may have differentsettings over different periods. For example, early in the evening,certain genres can be preferred, for example upbeat music, while late inthe evening the preference may change to slow music that couples canenjoy. Timers can also be used to regulate the pace at which the outputof digital content may change. For example, an operator may not want thesystem to be too susceptible to the flow at which patrons may come andgo.

Column 640, General Operator Preferences, may list exclusions. Forexample, in a sport bar where patrons are on average adults cartoonprogram channels can be excluded. Vice versa in a Mc Donald's, wherekids are welcome and form a big portion of the clientele, certainchannels with questionable shows can be banned. Operator can achievethis by using a Sexual Explicitness 643 field. Field Sexual Explicitness643 can be used, for example, in relation to digital content that canvary and adapt to various audiences by including or excluding variousscenes in a movie as previously described.

A Content Rating 644 field can be used to include or exclude digitalcontent as rated by the various public agencies such as, for example,the Classification and Rating Administration (“CARA”). By using thisfield, the operator of a public place can exclude movies or showsintended for mature audiences if one or more IDs that have checked inArea 190 belongs to minors.

FIG. 7 represents one embodiment wherein shared digital entertainmentcan adapt and allow the enjoyment of different versions of the samefamily of digital works to both, first time and recurring users. Itrepresents a schematic example of a user interface in a UE 161 or UE 160that are adapted to provide feedback and input to an interactive shareddigital work being played. Said user interface can be enabled byactivating a mobile application installed on said UE.

Gamification uses an empathy-based approach for introducing,transforming and operating a service system that allows players to entera gameful experience to support value creation for the players and otherstakeholders. Interactive Shared Digital Works may provide suchexperience since users may be enticed to view the same family of digitalworks repeatedly to reach a higher influence user tier or unlock newscenarios.

In a possible exemplary embodiment, the invention may use Apple'siBeacon technology. An iBeacon represents a low-powered transmitter thatutilizes Bluetooth low energy (BLE) proximity sensing. In a simplifiedform, an iBeacon transmitter performs the following functions: 1)communicate an ID code to a receiver apparatus and 2) provide means forsaid receiving apparatus to determine its distance from said iBeaconemitting source.

An iBeacon represents a Radio Emitting Object 160 that transmits a “HereI am” type of signal from its current location. Such “Here I am” signalscan be transmitted outwardly from the iBeacon as far as only a fewcentimeters to more than 30 feet away. iBeacon signals are comprised ofa Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), which is used to distinguishwhat application may “see” the iBeacon, as well as major and minorvalues. These major and minor values are placeholders for the developersto characterize—as they see fit—information about the iBeacons.

In one commercial example, the major values may identify a product typeor service class and the minor values may identify specific products orservices individually. For example, in a movie theater offeringInteractive Shared Digital Works, a user may launch a mobile applicationcontained in UE 160. Said mobile application may use the ID that UE 160is receiving from an iBeacon station positioned within a theater's roomto synchronize via Network Connection 145 with the digital work that isshown to the audience in said theater's room where UE 160 is positionedand the digital work is played.

As a result, a user may be given, at predetermined points during theshowing of the digital work, the opportunity to express a preference viaNetwork Connection 145 and collectively contribute to the unraveling ofthe plot in ways that may diverge and converge in ways similar to thoserepresented in the movie “Sliding Doors”, a 1998 British-Americanromantic drama. “Sliding Doors” alternates between two paralleluniverses based on the two paths the central character's life could takedepending on whether or not she catches a train and causing differentoutcomes in her life.

As discussed, the left side of FIG. 7 represents a user interface thatcan be launched by a mobile application on a UE 160. Said mobileapplication can be synchronized with an Interactive Shared Digital Workshown, e.g., in a movie theater or at home via compatible equipment(Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120).

Window 701 may represent an information window showing the synchronizedinteractive shared digital work being played.

Variable Option Buttons 702 and 703 may represent an opportunity forinputs from a user when a certain node in the plot is reached. The texton display on these buttons may vary and the buttons may become active,e.g., at different points in time according to the plot.

The Influence User Tier Window 704 may show the class of influence ofthe user of UE 160 as compared to all the other users whose equipment issynchronized with said Interactive Shared Digital Work or as an absolutevalue.

Data and Stats at Decision Points Window 705 may show how the audiencecasts their vote when a certain node in the plot is reached.

Additional Real Time Information 706 may provide information about thework that is synchronized with the Interactive Shared Digital Work ondisplay. For example, it may provide captions for users who haveauditory problems or need translations in different languages of thedialogues.

The right side of FIG. 7 shows a Plot Tree 729 for an Interactive SharedDigital Work. Root 730 represents the starting point of the digitalwork. Node 731 and Node 732 represent examples of collective decisionpoint wherein the audience may cast their inputs. Nodes 731 and 732represent points in time when Variable Option Buttons 702 and 703 maybecome active. The person skilled in the art will understand thatVariable Option Buttons could be more than two. In one implementation,every time two or more branches diverge a Node is formed and input fromthe audience can be requested.

Plot Tree 729 may contain a plurality of branches, diverging andconverging, leading to Alternate Endings 734, 735, 736, 733, 737.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the inputs of userscan be weighted according to many different schemes to maximizecollective enjoyment, revenues, and promote a gamification effect. Userswho repeatedly pay to watch a family of shared digital work may enjoy apreferential status.

In some implementations, shared digital works may only be adaptiverather than interactive. In this case, a digital work may notnecessitate or solicit users' input. The digital work may adapt topromote collective enjoyment based on records of users' previous viewsof different versions of the digital work.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application ofthe claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of theexample embodiments disclosed herein can be the growth in popularity ofRFID tags. Such ID tags may be contained, generated or transmitted by aportable apparatus such as a cellular phone, a tablet or can also beembedded in objects such as necklaces or bracelets or even implantedinto a body.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodimentsdisclosed herein can be the creation of a new class of technical devicesthat has been termed Shared Ambience Apparatuses 120 (SAA). It should beunderstood that under certain conditions, a traditional general-purposecomputer, fixed or portable, could be adapted to function as a SAA 120.For example, said computer can be adapted to receive a stream of musicfrom Service Server 100 that is the product of preferences locatedwithin Area 190. Users may check-in Area 190 by transmitting their ID tosaid computer via a WLAN or Bluetooth connection. Music boxes attachedto said computer could provide the music to patrons.

Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in software,hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware andapplication logic. If desired, part or all of the software, applicationlogic and/or hardware may reside on a Shared Ambience Apparatus 120(SAA), on service Server 100, on Workstation 150 or on UE 161 and UE160. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software orinstruction set is maintained on any one of various conventionalcomputer-readable media. In the context of this document, a“computer-readable medium” may be any media or means that can contain,store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use byor in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer or a server, with one example of a computeror server described and depicted in FIG. 1. A computer-readable mediummay comprise a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media ormeans that can contain or store the instructions for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,such as a computer.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed ina different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, ifdesired, one or more of the above-described functions can be optional orcan be combined. For example, the data structures in FIG. 3 or FIG. 6can be simplified to contain only one or just a few data and settingsthat can be weighed against other data structures belonging to otherusers.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independentclaims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations offeatures from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims withthe features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinationsexplicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exampleembodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed ina limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modificationsthat can be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method, comprising: receiving at least a user IDindicia at a receiving apparatus indicating presence of a user linkedwith said user ID indicia; associating said user ID indicia with ashared digital media work wherein: a) said shared digital media work isa collection of digital segments; b) at least a subset of said digitalsegments out of said collection of digital segments can be assembled toprovide one adaptation out of a plurality of possible adaptations ofsaid shared digital media work; associating said at least one user IDindicia with a data structure containing data pertaining to said user,wherein: a) at least one of said data describes indicia of priorassociations of said user ID with said shared digital media work; b) atleast one of said data describes indicia of prior associations of saiduser ID indicia with at least one of said possible adaptations;facilitating the assembling of said at least a subset of said digitalsegments to provide said one adaptation apt to be conveyed by a sharedambiance apparatus.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein: a) said oneadaptation out of a plurality of possible adaptations is conveyed by ashared ambiance apparatus; b) said one adaptation is synchronized with amobile application running on a mobile equipment of said user that isassociated with said at least one user ID indicia; and c) said mobileapplication facilitates a functionality selected from the groupconsisting of: soliciting input at preselected intervals from said userwhereby affecting said one adaptation, providing sensory outputsynchronized with said one adaptation whereby said one user enhances hisexperience, displaying information synchronized with said one adaptationwhereby a gamification experience is provided, and combinations thereof.23. The method of claim 21, wherein said one adaptation out of aplurality of possible adaptations is the result of a mediation among aplurality of ID indicia that are contemporaneously associated with bothsaid shared digital media work and with said shared ambiance apparatus.24. The method of claim 23, wherein said mediation among said pluralityof ID indicia is affected by weights that are associated to at least asubset of said plurality of ID indicia.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein said weights reflect, at least in part, said indicia of previousassociations of said user ID with said shared digital media work. 26.The method of claim 23, wherein said mediation among said plurality ofID indicia is affected, at least in part, by episodic inputs from usersoccurring during the exhibition of said one adaptation, wherein saidusers are associated with at least a subset of said plurality of IDindicia.
 27. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one digitalsegment out of said collection of digital segments is reserved, at leastin part, upon the fulfillment of conditions selected from the groupconsisting of: a premium status attribute of at least said user ID, aminimum number of user IDs that are contemporaneously associated withboth said shared digital media work and with said shared ambianceapparatus, and combinations thereof.
 28. An apparatus, comprising: atleast one processor; and at least one non-transitory computer-readablemedium including computer program code; the at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at leastthe following: receiving at least a user ID indicia at a receivingapparatus indicating presence of a user linked with said user IDindicia; associating said user ID indicia with a shared digital mediawork wherein: a) said shared digital media work is a collection ofdigital segments; b) at least a subset of said digital segments out ofsaid collection of digital segments can be assembled to provide oneadaptation out of a plurality of possible adaptations of said shareddigital media work; associating said at least one user ID indicia with adata structure containing data pertaining to said user, wherein: a) atleast one of said data describes indicia of prior associations of saiduser ID with said shared digital media work; b) at least one of saiddata describes indicia of prior associations of said user ID indiciawith at least one of said possible adaptations; facilitating theassembling of said at least a subset of said digital segments to providesaid one adaptation apt to be conveyed by a shared ambiance apparatus29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein: a) said one adaptation out of aplurality of possible adaptations is conveyed by a shared ambianceapparatus; b) said one adaptation is synchronized with a mobileapplication running on a mobile equipment of said user that isassociated with said at least one user ID indicia; and c) said mobileapplication facilitates a functionality selected from the groupconsisting of: soliciting input at preselected intervals from said userwhereby affecting said one adaptation, providing sensory outputsynchronized with said one adaptation whereby said one user enhances hisexperience, displaying information synchronized with said one adaptationwhereby a gamification experience is provided, and combinations thereof.30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said one adaptation out of aplurality of possible adaptations is the result of a mediation among aplurality of ID indicia that are contemporaneously associated with bothsaid shared digital media work and with said shared ambiance apparatus.31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said mediation among saidplurality of ID indicia is affected by weights that are associated to atleast a subset of said plurality of ID indicia.
 32. The apparatus ofclaim 31, wherein said weights reflect, at least in part, said indiciaof previous associations of said user ID with said shared digital mediawork.
 33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said mediation among saidplurality of ID indicia is affected, at least in part, by episodicinputs from users occurring during the exhibition of said oneadaptation, wherein said users are associated with at least a subset ofsaid plurality of ID indicia.
 34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein atleast one digital segment out of said collection of digital segments isreserved, at least in part, upon the fulfillment of conditions selectedfrom the group consisting of: a premium status attribute of at leastsaid user ID, a minimum number of user IDs that are contemporaneouslyassociated with both said shared digital media work and with said sharedambiance apparatus, and combinations thereof.
 35. A computer softwaresystem having a set of instructions stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium for controlling at least one general-purposedigital computer in performing desired functions comprising a set ofinstructions formed into each of a plurality of modules, each modulescomprising: a process for receiving at least a user ID indicia at areceiving apparatus; a process for indicating presence of a user linkedwith said user ID indicia; a process for associating said user IDindicia with a shared digital media work wherein: a) said shared digitalmedia work is a collection of digital segments; b) at least a subset ofsaid digital segments out of said collection of digital segments can beassembled to provide one adaptation out of a plurality of possibleadaptations of said shared digital media work; a process for associatingsaid at least one user ID indicia with a data structure containing datapertaining to said user, wherein: a) at least one of said data describesindicia of prior associations of said user ID with said shared digitalmedia work; b) at least one of said data describes indicia of priorassociations of said user ID indicia with at least one of said possibleadaptations; a process for facilitating the assembling of said at leasta subset of said digital segments to provide said one adaptation apt tobe conveyed by a shared ambiance apparatus.
 36. The computer softwaresystem of claim 35, wherein: a) said one adaptation out of a pluralityof possible adaptations is conveyed by a shared ambiance apparatus; b)said one adaptation is synchronized with a mobile application running ona mobile equipment of said user that is associated with said at leastone user ID indicia; and c) said mobile application facilitates afunctionality selected from the group consisting of: soliciting input atpreselected intervals from said user whereby affecting said oneadaptation, providing sensory output synchronized with said oneadaptation whereby said one user enhances his experience, displayinginformation synchronized with said one adaptation whereby a gamificationexperience is provided, and combinations thereof.
 37. The computersoftware system of claim 35, wherein said one adaptation out of aplurality of possible adaptations is the result of a mediation among aplurality of ID indicia that are contemporaneously associated with bothsaid shared digital media work and with said shared ambiance apparatus.38. The computer software system of claim 37, wherein said mediationamong said plurality of ID indicia is affected by weights that areassociated to at least a subset of said plurality of ID indicia.
 39. Thecomputer software system of claim 38, wherein said weights reflect, atleast in part, said indicia of previous associations of said user IDwith said shared digital media work.
 40. The computer software system ofclaim 35, wherein at least one digital segment out of said collection ofdigital segments is reserved, at least in part, upon the fulfillment ofconditions selected from the group consisting of: a premium statusattribute of at least said user ID, a minimum number of user IDs thatare contemporaneously associated with both said shared digital mediawork and with said shared ambiance apparatus, and combinations thereof.